Black Horse Pike Superintendent Awaits Graduation Details

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Black Horse Pike Regional Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Repici is delighted students in the district’s three high schools will be able to graduate in-person following Gov. Phil Murphy’s announcement on Tuesday. However, he is awaiting more details.

On Tuesday, Gov. Phil Murphy announced New Jersey school districts will be permitted to hold outdoor graduation ceremonies with social distancing beginning July 6. Specific guidance would be released by the state Department of Education and the Secretary of Higher Education on Wednesday. Read more here: NJ To Allow Live Graduations Starting In July, Gov. Murphy Says

“If gathering or social distancing restrictions are still in place that will limit spectator participation and impact the design of the ceremony,” Repici said.

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Graduation also applies to middle schools, meaning the Gloucester Township K-8 Public School District could have in-person graduations for their middle schools on or after July 6. In-school graduation for promotions from the elementary schools are not part of Tuesday's plans.

The high school district has a tentative graduation date of July 23 in place for its three schools — Highland, Timber Creek and Triton.

Graduations have been in question since schools statewide were closed to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus in March. The issue became a little murkier after Murphy announced that students would not return to school this academic year. Read more here: Black Horse Pike Schools Looking At Every Angle For Graduation

“We will discuss with our Board of Education, collaborate with surrounding schools, seek guidance from the Department of Education, and design a ceremony with safety as our first priority,” Repici said.

"Our goal is to ensure our students are given the sendoffs they richly deserve," Murphy said. "We want them to celebrate and to be celebrated by their families friends and educators who helped get them there, but do so safely."

See related: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know